Box Score

BURNABY, B.C. – Junior Kevin Rima enjoyed a huge night as he led the Crusaders to a 98-90 win on the road over host Simon Fraser in Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball Saturday.

"Very proud that the guys continue to battle every night," NNU coach Dave Daniels said.

Rima had game-highs of 31 points and 11 rebounds for the Crusaders (6-18 overall, 4-12 GNAC), who built an early 15-7 edge on a Rima bucket and never let the lead slip away.

"Kevin played with a great balance of aggressiveness and pace and was unstoppable tonight," Daniels said.

A Matyas Hering 3-point stretched the Crusaders' lead to 29-19 with 8 minutes, 53 seconds left in the first half, though the Clan (10-14, 3-13) threatened time and again, closing to within a bucket on several occasions.

But NNU weathered all the charges and built a 62-52 lead with 11:45 to play on a Mario Donaldson basket, and stretched the lead to as much as 88-74 with 2:44 to play on two Rima free throws.

From there, the Clan only got as close as 90-85 back on a 3-point play by Sango Niang with 1:11 remaining on the scoreboard clock before NNU finished off the road win.

Donaldson finished with a career high 25 points in the win.

"Mario continued to attack the rim and make plays on both ends of the floor," Daniels said.

The senior from Rockton, Ill., who will play his final two games for the Crusaders next weekend when NNU hosts Montana State Billings and Seattle Pacific on Thursday and Saturday, also had five assists in the win.

Hering added 10 points in the win for NNU, as well.

"Maytas was a big spark off the bench," Daniels said.